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From applicant tracking systems to payroll platforms, there are several different types of software that can help you streamline your business's human resources functions. Getty Images/MoMo Productions

Companies use human resources (HR) software to manage employees, processes, and information effectively. These programs reduce errors and ensure compliance. HR platforms can be all-in-one tools called human resources management systems (HRMS), human resources information systems (HRIS), or human capital management (HCM).

Conversely, small businesses may select individual applications on an as-needed basis. Several HR software providers let you add modules or upgrade plans to expand functionality beyond payroll or basic new hiring reporting tools. Explore the features and benefits of four common HR systems, then discover alternatives to a complex technology stack.

A small business applicant tracking system (ATS) streamlines the hiring process, from sourcing candidates to scheduling interviews. Recruiters and entrepreneurs use an ATS to filter resumes, allowing them to hire employees quickly. Applicant tracking systems can be standalone platforms or part of an HRMS program.

For instance, SmartRecruiters focuses on talent acquisition, offering applicant tracking, chatbot, artificial intelligence (AI), and text recruiting tools. On the other hand, Gusto Plus users can access an ATS application that integrates seamlessly with Gustos HR and payroll software. For small businesses that use project management tool Monday.com, you can leverage the applicant tracker template to gather applicant information via embedded forms.

According to Workable, ATS pricing varies widely, from free to hundreds of dollars per active position or month. The pay-per-employee model costs $4 to $7 monthly, whereas the pay-per-recruiter fee is typically $100 to $500 per active position.

[Read more: 8 Top Recruiting Tools for Hiring Managers]

A performance management system allows small businesses to set goals and track employee performance consistently and fairly. It reduces bias while increasing trust in your organization and HR department. Most performance management tools support 360-degree reviews, realistic goal setting, and analytics.

Betterworks 2023 Global HR Research report found that employees receiving meaningful performance enablement reported far higher levels of optimism, confidence, engagement, and productivity. Since only 32% of respondents told Betterworks that they trust their leaders and only 26% said they trust human resources, adding a performance management system can increase confidence in your company, resulting in better employee retention rates.

Per-employee pricing ranges from $2 to $27 monthly. Most systems let you establish company, team, and individual objectives. Like other HR software, you can choose from standalone systems such as AssessTeam or add a performance management module to your BambooHR plan.

Fully managed payroll services file payroll taxes and forms on your companys behalf, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

Payroll software is often one of the first HR systems a small business acquires. It calculates wages and employment taxes, provides employee portals, and direct deposits or cuts checks for staff. Fully managed payroll services file payroll taxes and forms on your companys behalf, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

Many payroll systems include HR features such as new hire reporting, onboarding checklists, and time-off analytics. The Paychex company SurePayroll specializes in small businesses with fewer than 10 employees and doesnt have many HR tools beyond payroll. Paychex is an all-in-one HR software solution offering payroll, benefits, and HR services. Likewise, Gusto provides payroll, HR, and ATS tools; features vary depending on the subscription.

Payroll and HR software pricing start at $17, plus $4 to $12 per employee monthly. The cost increases as you add HR features and functionality. When choosing a payroll app, consider options that scale with your business. These applications let you handle hiring or performance management from a single platform.

Learning management systems (LMS) and employee development platforms enable businesses to improve staff skills, increase engagement, and retain qualified workers. LMS applications support your employee training and development goals. Most provide web and mobile apps, allow leaders to develop personalized courses, and house various learning resources.

Since Betterworks reported that more than half of employees dont see a path for advancement in their current company, adopting an LMS can give your company a competitive edge. Indeed, outside of pay and benefits, respondents told Betterworks that internal career opportunities and better skills development would entice them to stay with their current organization.

You can find free online learning tools and paid options that use a monthly subscription or per-user payment model. In addition, some HR services like Rippling offer talent management modules with pre-made courses and compliance training.

Building an HR technology stack can be a complicated process. Ideally, your software works together to avoid repetitive data entry and potential errors. Moreover, a connected system gives you a clearer view of your overall performance. Yet, you can pay hundreds of dollars per employee monthly for HR apps. Then, you have the technical aspects, from training human resources employees on new tools to troubleshooting problems.

Companies with 19 or more employees may prefer to work with a professional employer organization (PEO). This co-employment relationship provides your business with human resources, payroll, tax administration, benefits, and regulatory compliance assistance. Small- to mid-sized organizations can offer employee benefits like dependent care, 401(k) plans, or health insurance.

According to the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO), Small businesses that work with a PEO grow 7% to 9% faster, and the return on investment of using a PEO, in costs savings alone, is 27.3%. PEO fees vary based on the number of employees you have and the types of services used.

CO aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

COis committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.

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Published June 15, 2023

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Human Resources Software: 4 HR Tools for Small Businesses - CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

YouTube has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Invidious, an open-source "alternative front-end" to the website which allows users to watch videos without having their data tracked, claiming it violates YouTube's API policy and demanding that it be shut down within seven days. From a report: "We recently became aware of your product or service, Invidious," reads the letter, which was posted on the Invidious GitHub last week. "Your Client appears to be in violation of the YouTube API Services Terms of Service and Developer Policies." The letter then delineates the policies which Invidious is accused of having violated, such as not displaying a link to YouTube's Terms of Service or "clearly" explaining what it does with user information. Invidious is open-source software licensed under AGPL-3.0, and it markets itself as a way for users to interact with YouTube without allowing the site to collect their data, or having to make an account. "Invidious protects you from the prying eyes of Google," its homepage reads. "It won't track you either!" Invidious also allows users to watch videos without being interrupted by "annoying ads," which is how YouTube makes most of its money.

Read more:
YouTube Tells Open-Source Privacy Software 'Invidious' to Shut Down - Slashdot

New research suggests that Arctic summer sea ice could melt almost completely by the 2030s, a decade earlier than previously projected, even with significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Smithsonian Magazine reports: "We are very quickly about to lose the Arctic summer sea-ice cover, basically independent of what we are doing," Dirk Notz, a climate scientist at the University of Hamburg in Germany tells the New York Times' Raymond Zhong. "We've been waiting too long now to do something about climate change to still protect the remaining ice." An ice-free summer, also called a "blue ocean event," will happen when the sea ice drops below one million square kilometers (386,102 square miles), writes Jonathan Bamber, a professor of physical geography at the University of Bristol, in the Conversation. This equates to just 15 percent of the Arctic's seasonal minimum ice cover of the late 1970s, per the Times.

Previous assessments using models have estimated an ice-free summer under high and intermediate emissions scenarios by 2050. But researchers noticed differences between what climate models predicted about what would happen to sea ice and what they've actually seen through observations, according to Bob Weber of the Canadian Press. "The models, on average, underestimate sea ice decline compared with observations," says Nathan Gillett, an environment and climate change Canada scientist, to Weber.

Now, in a new study published in Nature Communications, Notz, Gillett and their colleagues tweaked these models to more closely fit satellite data collected over the past 40 years. Using these modified models, the researchers projected ice changes under different possible levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Their paper suggests that regardless of emissions scenario, "we may experience an unprecedented ice-free Arctic climate in the next decade or two." Under a high emissions scenario, the Arctic could see a sustained loss of sea ice from August until as late as October before the 2080s, lead author Seung-Ki Min, a climate scientist at Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea, tells CNN's Rachel Ramirez.

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Arctic Could Be Sea Ice-Free in the Summer by the 2030s - Slashdot

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Yahoo reported better-than-expected quarterly adjusted profit on Tuesday, positive news for the beleaguered company whose deal to sell its core business to Verizon has been shaken by a massive data breach.

Verizon's general counsel said last week that the hack, which affected at least 500 million email accounts in 2014, could have a material impact, possibly allowing Verizon to withdraw from the $4.83 billion deal.

Revenue from Mavens - the mobile, video, native and social advertising units that Chief Executive Marissa Mayer touts as its emerging businesses - rose 24.2% to $524 million.

Gross search revenue fell 14.1% to $752.5 million.

Yahoo's shares were up marginally in extended trading.

Verizon plans to combine Yahoo's search, email and messenger assets as well as advertising technology tools with its AOL unit, which it bought last year for $4.4 billion.

The deal would transform Yahoo into a holding company, with a 15% stake in Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and a 35.5% interest in Yahoo Japan as well as Yahoo's convertible notes, certain minority investments and its non-core patents.

The deal is expected to close in early 2017, after which Yahoo plans to change its name and become a publicly traded investment company.

Yahoo's revenue rose 6.5% to $1.31 billion in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, beating the average analyst estimate of $1.30 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

After deducting fees paid to partner websites, revenue fell to $857.7 million from $1 billion.

Net income attributable to Yahoo rose to $162.8 million, or 17 cents per share, from $76.3 million, or 8 cents per share, a year earlier.

Excluding items, the company earned 20 cents per share, beating the average estimate of 14 cents.

Yahoo said on Friday it would not hold a call or webcast after the release of the results, citing the Verizon deal.

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The IRS Will Test Out Its Own Free Tax Prep Software in 2024 - Money

The IRS is working on a plan that would allow taxpayers to file directly with the government online, but tax preparation companies plan stiff opposition. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

The IRS is working on a plan that would allow taxpayers to file directly with the government online, but tax preparation companies plan stiff opposition.

The IRS is developing a system that would let taxpayers send electronic returns directly to the government for free, sidestepping commercial options such as TurboTax.

The agency plans a pilot test of the program next year.

Many other countries already offer taxpayers a government-run filing system. But the IRS plan is likely to face stiff opposition from the $14 billion tax-preparation industry.

"A direct-to-IRS e-file system is wholly redundant and is nothing more than a solution in search of a problem," said Rick Heineman, a spokesman for Intuit, the company behind TurboTax. "That solution will unnecessarily cost taxpayers billions of dollars and especially harm the most vulnerable Americans."

Americans already spend significant time and money preparing their taxes. The average individual filer pays $140 per year, according to the IRS.

While an alliance of industry players offers a free-filing option through the IRS website, only about 2% of taxpayers use it.

"That's because the tax prep companies sabotaged the program, so they could keep raking in money," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said last month.

Last year, TurboTax paid $141 million to settle a complaint that it advertised free tax preparation, then steered customers into costly upgrades. The company did not admit to any wrongdoing.

IRS commissioner Danny Werfel stressed that filing returns directly with the government will be strictly optional.

"Taxpayers will always have choices for how they file their taxes," Werfel told reporters during a conference call Tuesday. "They can use tax software. They can use a trusted tax professional. They can use a paper tax return. We'd rather they file electronically, sure. But they have that choice."

Many Democrats have long favored a direct filing option. Legislation passed last year gave the IRS $15 million to study the idea.

"Democrats are committed to the proposition that it shouldn't cost hundreds of dollars and many more hours of time simply to follow the law," Senate Finance Committee chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said during a hearing last month. "When it comes to filing taxes online, the status quo is unacceptable."

Advocates gather in Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2023, to call out tax prep companies like Intuit TurboTax and H&R Block for blocking simplified filing and to support the IRS in its exploration of alternative free tax filing in Washington, DC. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Economic Securi hide caption

Advocates gather in Washington, D.C., on April 17, 2023, to call out tax prep companies like Intuit TurboTax and H&R Block for blocking simplified filing and to support the IRS in its exploration of alternative free tax filing in Washington, DC.

Through surveys, the IRS found significant interest in a government-run filing system, but also challenges.

One survey found 72% of taxpayers would be "very interested" or "somewhat interested" in a system that allowed them to file returns directly with the government at no cost. The option was most popular with younger people, those with limited English skills and people who do their own taxes.

"If the government is requiring me to file, they should offer a free service," one survey respondent said.

Other participants were concerned, however, that the tax collector might not provide them with the largest refund or the smallest tax bill a potential conflict that's been highlighted by commercial tax preparers.

The IRS estimates that setting up and operating a direct file system would cost the government between $64 million and $249 million annually, depending on the number of users and the complexity of returns it could handle.

One challenge is how to integrate state tax returns, which would make a IRS-run system more attractive. The system could also be a stepping stone to having the IRS fill in parts of a tax return itself, using information from employers and other sources.

The next step in the process is to let some real taxpayers try using the system next year.

"The best way to be successful is to begin with a limited scope pilot that allows the IRS to test functionality for some taxpayers, evaluate success, and use lessons learned to inform the growth of the tool," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo wrote, in a letter authorizing the test.

The scale of the experiment and the kinds of taxpayers who will be eligible is yet to be determined.

Read more:
The IRS is working on software to allow taxpayers to file online - NPR